HICKORY 



The stamens vary from three to ten, are inserted on the 

 slightly thickened inner and lower face of the calyx. Fila- 

 ments short, free ; anthers oblong, two-celled ; cells opening 

 longitudinally. The ovary is wanting. 



The pistillate flowers appear in a two to ten-flowered clus- 

 ter, borne on a peduncle which is terminal on a leafy branch 

 of the year. The calyx consists of a single lobe. The 

 stamens are wanting. The ovary is inferior, one-celled, 

 inclosed in a slightly four-ridged involucre formed by the 

 union of the chief bract and two smaller bracts ; the bract 

 much larger than the calyx-lobe and the bractlets. The 

 ovule is solitary. 



The fruit is a nut inclosed in a four-valved involucre. 

 This nut varies in size and shape but when once known is 

 readily recognized under all its protean forms. That of the 

 Shellbark is typical of them all. 



The autumn color of the leaves is a clear bright yellow ; 

 the leaflets frequently separate from the petiole in falling. 



The Hickories range from the valley of the St. Lawrence 

 to the mountains of Mexico and traces of the genus are 

 found in the tertiary rocks of Greenland, also in the upper 

 tertiary formations of Europe. There is a prevailing opinion 

 that they are difficult to rear and, to a degree, this is true, 

 for the seedlings need protection against the wind and the 

 sun. But when this is given they flourish, and a well grown 

 hickory is a tree of great dignity and beauty. 



BITTERNUT. SWAMP HICKORY 



Hichria minima. Cdrya a?ii&ra. 



Widely distributed, but absent from the mountains of New York 

 and New England, abundant throughout the Mississippi valley. 

 Prefers low wet woods, borders of streams and swamps, but is often 

 found on high uplands remote from streams. Reaches the height 

 of one hundred feet, has a tall straight trunk, stout spreading limbs 

 and forms a broad handsome head. Grows most rapidly of all the 

 hickories. 



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